Ephedra:
Ephedra is a plant that is used to increase energy and promote weight loss in Asian countries. It has also become popular in other countries, where it is marketed as a pill. However, because the Ephedra pills are classed as dietary supplements and not as drugs, they are governed by the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act 1994 rather than by the Food and Drugs Administration. Therefore, unless the supplements are deemed unsafe for general consumption, the FDA has no input with regards to the regulations of Ephedra.
There are a number of side effects that are associated with Ephedra, and these have raised much controversy and concern with both medics and patients. The plant, Ephedra, is known to result in many of the same side effects as amphetamines, including increased heart rate and restriction of blood vessels. These can lead to more serious effects, such as strokes, heart attacks, seizures, and ultimately death. Concerns have also been raised over how little importance the manufacturers of the supplement have placed on these risks and side effects, providing very little information regarding any side effects and plenty of information with regards to the potential benefits of Ephedra. It has also been claimed that the drug is marketed as an ‘all natural’ drug. When, in fact, it contains synthetic chemicals.
By 1997, the Food and Drug Administration, although not in charge of Ephedra regulations, had received hundreds of reports and complaints about the adverse side effects that stemmed from taking this supplement. This is when the FDA made an attempt to step in and take some control. The FDA devised a proposal that put strict rules and regulations in place with regards to the labelling of Ephedra. The FDA also tried to intervene with regards to the dosage and duration over which the supplements could be taken. However, this led to an outcry from the supplements industry, which was opposed to any FDA interference at all and wanted the regulations and rules dropped. This outcry then led to a government investigation of the proposal put forward by the FDA.
The outcome of the government investigation was that there were not enough reports of adverse effects to warrant the limitations placed on dosage and duration by the FDA, and this part of the FDA’s proposal had to be scrapped. This was not enough for the supplements industry, and they continued to lobby against the regulations placed on the labelling of Ephedra as well, petitioning the FDA in order to get this part of the proposal scrapped as well.
On the other end of the spectrum, the FDA was also being petitioned by various public health groups such as Public Citizen, which were demanding the removal of Ephedra and similar supplements from the US market altogether. By this time, over one thousand adverse reaction reports and 81 deaths had been linked to Ephedra. Public Citizen petitioned the FDA in 2001, and this was swiftly followed by concerns and petitions from the American Medical Association, also requesting the removal of this product from the market.
Many people that have been affected by Ephedra have already filed lawsuits against the manufacturer of the supplement, and anyone that has been adversely affected after taking Ephedra is urged to do the same. There are now many specialist lawyers that deal with this type of litigation, making it easier for those wishing to file a claim to do so successfully. You may be eligible to claim compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings, pain, suffering, and loss of a loved one.
An experienced Ephedra lawyer will know the side effects, dangers, and statistics associated with this supplements, and can help you to put together a solid lawsuit. By going through an experienced lawyer, you can increase the chance of success, and depending on the information you can provide the lawyer may be able to put together a watertight case for you. Many law firms offer free initial consultations, so even if you are unsure with regards to whether you have a viable claim you can determine this quickly, easily and at no cost. An experienced Ephedra lawyer will also have established links to resources and groups that may be able to provide valuable support to your case.
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